Okay guys so I have a 97 RS Camaro that I blew the engine and I believe it's a probably connecting rod. I have a 89 Bonneville series 1 3800 sitting in my garage with like maybe 90,000 original miles lol or my buddies got a short block 350 that will drop right in I was wondering should I turbo out the 3800 and leave it a V6 or should I go ahead and make a switch up to a bigger V8 and which would be more fuel economy also which would take less time and heartache cuz I'm about sick of messing with this stuff. I've been teaching myself how to work on cars because my father passed away when I was 6 he was a Gearhead and I guess I caught the bug but I need a little bit of help to try to figure all this out and how I would go about doing all of this stuff I'm already pretty much got the old engine out my plan on rebuilding eventually please help somebody

 

Hang here a bit,some folks that know more than I will be along soon I'm sure.
I think you'll find the 3800 a lot less headache,the 350 is not a simple drop in deal and even when you get it in there's electronics issues to deal with if you want your gauges etc. to work.

 

series 1 will not work. I picked up a series 3 with 60k miles and great compression and oil pressure for 400 bucks changed gaskets on it and its going strong without leaking a drop of oil or coolant.

 

I did the exact same thing as Crabby. Same mileage, same price.

I did the swap by myself at home with nothing more than a socket set, wrenches and a floor jack.

 

If you are serious about the 350 make sure you do the research. The project is a nightmare, it would end up costing a way more then anyone thinks and requires bunch of custom work both mechanical and electrical. The old 3800 is not any better. Also keep in mind that neither of those engines will bolt to your transmission which is control by your computer. Which needs to see the engine. Your car has a PCM (Powertrain Control module) that controls your fuel injection, ignition and transmission. If the PCM is not controlling the engine then it has no idea when to shift. Using the correct Series II or Series III 3800 is by far the easiest and cheapest way to get your car running again.

 

So basically what im getting is that I should just buy a rebuild kit for my original 3800? As far as I have been able to figure out the only thing difference are my throttle body my air cold air intake exhaust manifold and bolt on Parts because it's Pontiac to Chevrolet or whatever but could you explain why so difficult to switch to an older model series 1 I understand why the ls swap cost so much money. You would think it'd be pretty simple to switch.

 

If you can afford a rebuild that is great but by far the cheapest way to get your car back on the road is to buy a used engine. They can be found cheap with low miles since the 3800 was used in so many cars and has a very low failure rate. A 3800 that is not over revved and has had it intake gasket replaced should run 200,000 miles and used short blocks with less then 50k should sell for under $500.

In 1995 GM completely redesigned the the 3800 to the Series II., This was a OBD2 design that reused almost none of the original design, different ignition system, different fuel injection system, different motor mounts and different transmission mounts. The old 3800 motors where much closer to the old 3.8 which where mostly in rear wheel drive cars and where direct replacement for V8s. The 1995 3800 SII was in the camaro but was primarily designed as a FWD V6 motor. The original 3800 share almost no parts with the S2.design so putting a 1990 3800 in a 97 camaro would be about the same amount of work as putting a 3.8 out of a ford mustang in a 97 camaro. Mean while a 3800 short block out of a 2009 grand prix is a direct bolt in. In fact a LS swap would be easier because many of the parts you would need where used in a 98 Z28 so they could be found. Most of the parts needed to install the original 3800 simply do not exist and would need made. .

Unlike cars of the past GM design the camaro around the engine. Your 97 has a fairly complicated computer system that includes a body control module, PCM, ABS system, and a theft deterrent system. They are all on a network. If something is missing nothing works. There are work around but they are not free.. Keeping you body control module working IMO is critical. This controls your heating\AC power windows and doors but most importantly your gages. Your gages are not really gages they are just indicators your body control module runs. If you eliminate the PCM or change it to a different one and the the body control module doe not see it then nothing inside the car will work. This is one of the reasons putting and old school engine is such a pain.